The law changeAmid World Rugby’s rule tinkering last summer, two changes were introduced that were designed to encourage teams to compete more cleanly at the ruck.

First, defenders were banned from kicking the ball out of the ruck, limiting their options when fighting for opposition ball.

Secondly, the tackler was permitted to get back to his feet, enter the ruck, and compete, but as soon as an opposition player arrived, no hands were allowed. England’s failure to compete at the breakdown has its roots in the way Premiership teams responded to these changes this season — a situation that is only now changing

How Premiership teams defendEnglish clubs, when defending, believed that referees would be quick to penalise them for using their hands in…